Kite and kite package



March 1957 J. CAROFF KITE AND KITE PACKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 21. 1955 INVENTOR. JOSEPH C/worfi' I g /vsy March 5, 1957 c o 2,783,958

KITE AND KITE PACKAGE Filed July 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

- JDJEPI/ CAPOFF KITE AND KITE PACKAGE Joseph Caroif, Flushing, N. Y.

Application July 21, 1955, Serial No. 523,520

12 Claims. (Cl. 244-153) This invention relates to kites and particularly to a novel package arrangement therefor.

Most forms of kites in present day use are comparatively complicated to assemble and disassemble. In addition, such kites are not constructed to provide. a compact package, readily portable, when the kite is collapsed and not in use.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a new and package arrangement therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved kit which is easily assembled and disassembled and which may be folded up into a compact readily portable package.

In general, the principles and objects of the invention are accomplished by the provision of a kite f-rarne comprising a plurality of parallel rods having a plurality of sails secured thereto, adapted to catch the wind and allow the kite to fly. In addition, a spring member is provided in engagement with each of the parallel rods and biased to maintain the kite open and in flying configuration. A removable wrapper is further provided to retain the kite in collapsed condition. This wrapper serves as a spool for the kite string, and also serves to carry a label or advertising.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a kite of the character described in which the triangular sails and the corner rods are made from a single blank of sheet material such as paper or cardboard.

The invention is described in greater detail by reference to the drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a kit embodying the principles of the invention in the open, flying configuration;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the kite of Fig. 1 closed and in a portable package form;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a component part of the kite of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the spring wire shown in Fig. 3 when removed from the kite;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a kite embodying the invention and illustrating a modified form thereof and shown in partially fabricated condition;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of blank from which the triangular sails and corner rods are fabricated;

Fig. 8 is a top edge view of said blank in partially folded position; and

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig; 8 but illustrating a further step in fabrication of the kite.

Referring to the drawing, a kite 10 embodying the principles of the invention includes a plurality of parallel rods, for example three rods 12, 14 and 16, of wood or the like, having a pair of sails 18 and 20 secured thereto and spaced apart a predetermined distance. The sails 18 and 20 may comprise paper, cloth or the like and are glued, nailed or otherwise secured to the rods 12, 14 and 16. The strips of material which comprise the sails 18 and 20 are wrapped around the rods to provide three sur- States Patent 2,783,958 Patented Mar. 5, 1957 faces each against which the wind may blow to lift the kite.

According to the invention, a wire spring 22 is provided for maintaining the desired spatial relationship between the surfaces of the sails when the kite is open and in flying configuration. The spring 22 comprises a length of wire including two legs 24 and 26 of equal length and normally spaced apart at an angle of about 60 whereby the two legs constitute legs of an equilateral triangle. At the vertex of the triangle, the wire 22 includes a coiled portion 28 which provides the desired spring action which maintains the legs 24 and 26 spaced apart. At the ends thereof, the legs 24 and 26are bent to provide two books 30 and 32 which arecurved oppositely and away from each other and outwardly from the legs 24 and 26, respectively.

The wire spring 22 is mounted on the kite 10 with one rod, e. g. rod 16, extending through the coiled portion 28 thereof and with the bent portions or hooks gripping the rods with the hook 30 gripping the rod 14 and the hook 32 gripping the rod 12. Since the arms 24 and 26 of the spring 22 are biased to be spaced apart from each other and since the bent hooks are curved away from each other, the spring maintains the kite in the open position with the sails open as shown in Fig. l. The wire spring 22 may be positioned substantially anywhere along the length of the rods with one convenient position being adjacent to the inner portion of sail 28.

In addition, according to the invention, a wrapper 34 is provided secured to the kite 10 by a string or rope 36 or the like. The excess string is wound around the wrapper and one end is secured to the kite, for example to one of the rods, for example rod 16. The wrapper 34 comprises a strip of paper or the like including, in series, a flap 38 having a hook-like process 40, a flap 42, and a flap 44 having an angular slot in which the hook 40 is adapted to be inserted. A fold line 48 is provided between the flaps 38 and 42 and a fold line is provided between the flaps 42 and 44. The kite wrapper 34 has a width which is substantially equal to the spacing between the sails 18 and 20. The wrapper thus serves as a spool for the kite thread and it may also carry a label or advertising if desired.

When it is desired to fold the kite into a closed package, the legs 24 and 26 of the spring wire 22 are brought together with the sails 18 and 20 folding along one surface thereof so that the rods 12 and 14 are brought together also. The wrapper 34 is then positioned between the sails and is wrapped around the kite with the fold lines 48 and 50 receiving the rods of the kite. The hooklike process 40 is then inserted into the slot 46 in the flap 44 and the package is secured. The wrapper thus also serves as a binder to hold the kite in collapsed condition. When the wrapper is removed, the spring 22 opens up the collapsed kite for flying.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 9 inclusive, there is shown a kite 10a illustrating a modified form of the invention. The kite 10a may be made from a blank 50 of paper or cardboard illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawing. The blank 50 is generally rectangular in shape, having an upper edge 51 and a lower edge 52 parallel thereto. Said blank also has parallel end edges 53 at right angles to the edges 51, 52. The blank has greater width than height. It is divided into three similar sections comprising a central section 55 and end sections 56, by a pair of parallel fold lines 58 and 59. The fold lines 58 and 59 are parallel to each other and to end edges 53 and are spaced apart the same distance that they are spaced from said edges 53. Extending upwardly from the upper edge 51 is a central tab 60 and tabs 61, 62 on opposite sides thereof. The tabs 68, 61 and 62 are centralized with respect to sections 55 and 56, respectively. Extending from lower edge 52 are tabs 66, 67 and 68 aligned with and symmetrically disposed with respect to the tabs 60, 61, 62, respectively. Said tabs 60, 61 and 62 are foldable about fold lines a, 61a and62a, respectively, aligned with the edge 51. The upper faces of the tabs 60, 61 and 62 are coated with glue and said tabs are folded downwardly about said fold lines and glued to the upper face blank to reinforce the upper edges of sections 55 and 56.

The tabs 66, 67 and 68 are foldable about fold lines 66a, 67a and 68a aligned with lower edge 52. The upper faces of said tabs are coated with glue, and said tabs are foldable about said fold lines against said upper face of said blank to reinforce the lowered edges of sections 55 and 56.

Said sections 55 and 56 are formed with cut-outs and 76. Said cut-outs are similar. They are aligned with each other and they are equally spaced apart. Each cut-out is equally spaced from upper and lower edges of the blank. The cut-out 75 is formed with parallel side edges 75a equally spaced from the fold lines 58, 59. Projecting downwardly from upper end of cut-out 75 is a tab 77, parallel and coextensive with the tab 60. Said tab 77 is foldable upwardly about a fold line 77a. Its upper face is coated with glue so that it may be folded back and glued to upper face of the blank thereby reinforcing the upper edge of the cut-out.

At the upper edges of the cut-out 76 are tabs 79 coextensive with and symmetrically disposed with respect to the tabs 61, 62. Tabs 79 are foldable about fold lines 7941 aligned with the fold lines 77a. Their upper surfaces are coated with glue so that they may be folded upwardly and glued to sections 86 from reinforcing the upper edges of the cut-outs. At the lower edges of the cut-outs 75, 76 are tabs 80 and 81, respectively, foldable above fold lines 80a, 81a, respectively. The upper surfaces of the tabs 80, 81 are coated with glue so that they may be folded back against the lower sections 85, 86 for reinforcing the lower edges of the cut-outs.

Between the sections 86 and the left edge 53 is a section 90 extending from the upper to the lower edges of the blank. Said section 90 has its upper surface coated with glue. Between section 90 and the unglued sections 86 are aligned fold lines 91, aligned with the left ends of the tabs 61, 67. Between sections 86 and the fold line 58 is a section 92, the upper surface of which is coated with glue. Between unglued sections 86 and the glued section 92 is a fold line 93. Between the fold line 58 and the sections 86, is a section 94 coated with glue at its upper surface. Between section 94 and sec tions are aligned fold lines 95 on opposite sides of the cut-out '75. Between sections 86 of the fold line 59 is a section 98 glued at its upper surface. Between section 98 and sections 96 are fold lines 99. Between sections 96 and the right edge 53 is a section 100 coated with glue at its upper surface. sections 86 are fold lines 161. It will now be understood that the glued sections 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 extend from the upper edge 51 of the blank at its lower edge 52. It will be further noted that the cut-outs 75, 76 are wider than the unglued sections 85, 86.

After the tabs 60, 61, 62, 66, 67, 68, 77, 79, 8t) and 81 are folded back and glued in place, the blank is folded about the fold lines 58, 59, and section 92 is glued to section 94. Also, section 96 is glued to section 93. Furthermore, section is glued to section 100, and the edges 53 come into registry. The glued together sections 96, 93 are then rolled from the outer fold line 59 inwardly to the fold lines 97, 99 to form a corner reinforced rod 111.

Likewise, the glued together sections 92, 94 are rolled inwardly from the outer folded edge 58 toward the fold lines 93, to form another corner rod (not shown). Likewise, the glued together sections 90 and 100 are rolled together inwardly toward the fold lines 91, 101 to form a corner rod 110. In Fig. 6 the corner rod Between section 166 and the d is shown fully rolled. The corner rod for sections 96 and 98 is shown partially rolled and is designated by numeral 111. The sections 92, 94 are not shown rolled. It will be understood, however, that all three corners are rolled after gluing to form a kite. The sections 85, 86

comprise the sails, all the upper sails are spaced from the lower sails by the cut-outs 75, 76.

The kite 10a may be provided with the opening spring 22, the same as for the kite 10. The torsion coil 28 is received about one of the rods (rod 110 in Fig. 6) and the outer ends 30, 32 engage the other two corner rods. Also, the kite string 36 may be tied to one of the corner rods and provided with a wrapper 34 which is the same as wrapper 34 shown in Fig. 1, said wrapper serving a double purpose; for providing a means for winding the string kite, also for holding the triangular kite in flattened or fully collapsed or folded position for shipping or storing.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A kite comprising a plurality of parallel rods spaced apart in a predetermined array, a plurality of sails secured to said rods and spaced apart thereon, and a spring wire having a portion in operative engagement with each of said rods and adapted to maintain said rods spaced apart in said predetermined array.

2. A kite comprising a plurality of parallel rods spaced apart in a predetermined array, a plurality of sails secured to said rods and spaced apart thereon, and a spring wire having a pair of arms having hooks at their ends, said hooks being positioned about separate ones of said rods, said wire having a coiled portion positioned about another one of said rods whereby said rods are spaced apart in said predetermined array.

3. A kite comprising a plurality of parallel rods spaced apart in a predetermined array, a pair of sails secured to said rods and spaced apart thereon, and a spring wire secured to said rods, said spring wire comprising a length of wire coiled at one portion and having a pair of legs extending from said coiled portion, said legs having hooks formed at the free ends thereof.

4. A kite comprising a plurality of parallel rods spaced apart in a predetermined array, a pair of sails secured to said rods and spaced apart thereon, and a spring wire, said spring wire comprising a length of wire having a coiled portion positioned about one of said rods, and a pair of legs extending away from said coiled portion and biased apart by said coiled portion, a pair of hooks at the ends of said legs and positioned about others of said rods.

5. A kite comprising a plurality of parallel rods spaced apart in a predetermined array, a pair of sails secured to said rods and spaced apart thereon, and a spring Wire, said spring wire comprising a length of wire having a coiled portion, one of said rods being inserted through said coiled portion, said wire including a pair of legs extending from said coiled portion and biased apart thereby, a hook formed at the end of each of said legs, said hooks being turned away from each other and positioned about other of said rods.

6. A collapsible kite comprising a plurality of parallel rods spaced apart in a predetermined array, a pair of sails secured to said rods and spaced apart thereon, and a spring secured to said rods adjacent to one of said sails, said spring including a portion coiled about one of said rods, and a pair of legs each of which has a hook formed about others of said rods, said coiled portion biasing said legs apart whereby said rods are maintained in said predetermined spacing, a wrapper holding the kite in collapsed condition and a string tied at one end to the kite and being wound on the wrapper.

7. A wrapped package comprising three rods arranged in parallel relationship, a pair of sails secured to said rods and spaced apart thereon, and a spring wire secured to said rods, said sails being folded on one surface whereby two of said rods are positioned closely adjacent to each other, said spring wire comprising a coiled portion formed about one of said rods and a pair of legs secured at their ends to others of said rods, said legs being positioned substantially parallel and closely adjacent to each other, and a wrapper bound around said rods between said sails, said wrapper comprising three flaps, one flap including a hook-like process and another of said flaps including a slot adapted to receive said hook-like process whereby a compact package is provided.

8. A wrapped package comprising three rods arranged in parallel relationship, a pair of sails secured to said rods and spaced apart thereon, a spring wire secured to said rods, said spring wire comprising a coiled portion formed about one of said rods and a pair of legs having hooks at their ends formed about the other of said rods, said coiled portion tending to bias said legs apart, said legs being placed together and side by side whereby one surface of each of said sails is creased and two of said rods are substantially in contact with each other, and a binder around said rods between said sails, said binder including three flaps, one of said flaps having a hook-like process and another of said flaps having a slot adapted to receive said hook-like process whereby a compact package is formed.

9. A kite comprising a single blank of sheet material having parallel corner rods comprising rolled portions of said sheet material and upper and lower sails interconnecting said corner rods, the upper sails being spaced from the lower sails by cut-outs spanned by said corner rods, said sails each having at their upper and lower ends folded back tabs glued to said sails, in combination with a torsion spring having an intermediate coil portion receiving one of the corner rods therethrough, said spring having arms provided with hook portions at the end of the arms engaging other corner rods for resiliently retaining the kite in opened up position, with all of the sails fiat and unfolded, a wrapper wrapped around the kite when a pair of upper and lower sails are folded in half inwardly, and two corner rods are brought together and the kite is collapsed, said wrapper having means to retain the kite in collapsed condition.

10. The combination of claim 9, in combination with a kite string attached at one end to one of the corner rods and being wound about a portion of said wrapper.

11. A generally prismatic shaped kite comprising a plurality of parallel corner rods, each adjacent pair of rodsbeing interconnected by a pair of spaced upper and lower sails, said kite being collapsible by folding one pair of upper and lower sails, bringing together the pair of rods on opposite sides of said pair of folded upper and lower sails, and bringing other sails into substantial contact, and resilient means for opening up the kite from collapsed to fully opened position, in combination with a wrapper wrapped about the collapsed kite and holding the kite in collapsed condition against the tension of said resilient means.

12. The combination of claim 11 in combination with a kite string attached to one of the corner rods and wound about said wrapper.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 981,890 Smith Jan. 17, 1911 1,633,510 Ayling June 21, 1927 2,465,841 Bonini Mar. 29, 1949 

